(Middlefield, OH)- After completing just her first year at Cardinal Local Schools, Alissa Mujanovic has greatly updated her classroom. Alissa serves as the K-4 Music Teacher at Jordak Elementary.
"As a new teacher to this district, I have been assessing and taking inventory of materials and musical instruments available to our students," said Mujanovic.
During her first year at Cardinal, Alissa has been selected as a recipient for two grants. The first grant came from the Geauga County Retired Teachers Association. With a goal in mind of offering $250 grants to teachers who are employed in any of the public schools in Geauga County. Grants are intended to be used to support, in part or in whole, an innovative educational project that would otherwise not be possible because of a lack of school funds.
Before the grants were awarded to Mujanovic, her students had to share one drum and one xylophone, where at times she had 30 students in one class. Now, her students can use "1 Floor Tom" and "1 13' Tubano."
Our students are itching to play instruments," said Mujanovic. "Having taught elementary music in the past, I have witnessed the positive effects that instrumental music-making has had on general music students. Young students are quickly able to practice, keeping a steady beat with hands together and alternating. Older students are able to continue enhancing fine and gross motor skills as rhythmic knowledge progresses. Further opportunities for rhythmic practice, performance, and composition are made possible with classroom instruments. Finally, growing our classroom supply of drums will allow our students to practice ensemble skills and explore new cultural experiences like African drumming in the future."
Her second grant was awarded to her from the Ohio Music Education Association where can was able to purchase three more "Floor Toms," and one more "13' Tubano."
"I will now be able to incorporate these instruments in all 15 of my classes, ages kindergarten-4th grade, for years to come. In total, these instruments would benefit more than 400 students per school year," said Mujanovic.
For a school district that has a strong music department in the secondary education, incorporating this type of music lessons into the younger students should encourage participation and skills for those students once they get into middle and high school. Mujanovic and her students will perform two concerts for families, friends, and members of the community during the 2023-2024 school year, while also performing at Grandparent’s Day, Veterans Day, and more! Be sure to swing by, and catch one!